Joe Waters was born and raised on Greenville’s Eastside. Joe attended both public and private elementary and middle schools before finishing high school as a member of the inaugural graduating class of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities where he studied vocal music. Joe stayed in Greenville for college at Furman University where he was a campus leader (president of the Newman Catholic Fellowship, director of Mere Christianity Forum’s Vista House, member of Religious Council, committee service for the University, Furman Advantage Teaching Fellow, etc) and majored in history (Phi Alpha Theta). While at Furman Joe studied abroad in Oxford, England where he was able to travel extensively while pursuing his studies in theology and Christian history. Joe’s time at Furman was capped by his selection as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the Quaternion Club, and as a University commencement speaker, all honors that recognize Joe’s commitment to community service and leadership.
Upon graduation from Furman, Joe took a position at St Mary’s Catholic Church in downtown Greenville before deciding to pursue graduate studies in theology at Duke University. During his time at Duke, Joe was able to spend one academic year pursuing specialized studies in Washington, DC. While in Washington and through his volunteering at L’Arche DC, a family-like home for those with intellectual disabilities, Joe became committed to the greater integration of people with disabilities in society. Upon completing his Master of Divinity degree, Joe took a position as Director of Adult Education and Parish Mission at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Taylors. In this position , Joe oversees parish education, pastoral care, community engagement, and outreach ministries. In his spare time, Joe loves to travel around North and South Carolina, visit historic places, read, watch college football and basketball, and spend time with his family. Joe is a member of Upstate Forever, the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, and the South Carolina Historical Society.